Plan some resort stops while on your RTW trip

When most people begin planning their beginning round the world trip itinerary, it’s common to concentrate on RTW must-see sights – things like the Great Pyramids of Giza or the Acropolis in Athens, but along the way you are going to want to take some breaks from those historical sights, and fortunately you’ll be able to find some really nice resorts that are surprisingly affordable.

Before you leave home on such a trip it might not occur to you that you’ll need a “vacation” from your vacation, but you will. If you plan this sort of thing in advance, and even pencil it into your original itinerary, you’ll be able to relax for long periods of time while spending minimal funds in the process.

Another reason to stop in resort areas

This part doesn’t occur to some people, but the common reason that folks go on a RTW trip is some form or another of they “want to see the world.” Well, sure, the world works as often as it has to, and people build museums and parks and whatnot, but the world also likes to take a bit of time off when it can. There isn’t much history involved with most resort areas, but they are still a big part of the culture everywhere they exist around the world.

I’m not referring to strips of chain hotels that you can’t afford anyway, but more simple areas where locals can afford to go for one week a year. Isn’t it interesting to see how people in India like to spend their vacation? The other great thing about this is you can usually afford to go to places like this on the same budget you have for nearby cities in the same region, and sometimes even less.

Places where you can find cheap resorts

It would be great if there were these secret places all over the world where bungalows on the beach can be rented for US$10 per night, but the truth is these places are generally confined to certain regions. Fortunately, these are the same regions where your money always goes a long way, so you’ll be passing through many of them anyway.

Central and South America

As long as you avoid Belize and Costa Rica, then most of Central America is very affordable, and the tropical weather makes for a nice stay on the beach. Finding hotels in resorts here starting under US$20 is possible, even on Caye Caulker in Belize if you aren’t fussy about things like air conditioning.

Much of South America is only a bit more expensive in its resort areas, as long as you steer clear of Rio de Janeiro and other big and famous cities that attract rich people from around the world. You can go a few hours north or south of Rio and find hotels in resort areas for US$30 per night or even less.

The Middle East

There are resort areas in Egypt and other countries in the area, which have recently become popular with working-class Europeans looking for a cheap week in the sun. You can find very nice 3-star hotels on these beaches for under US$40 per night if you look around. With two people sharing, this is a lot of luxury for a small price, as well as a fascinating look at local culture at the same time.

Asia

Just as with most other aspects of cheap, cheap travel, Asia is where you hit the mother lode. In Thailand I rented an amazing stand-alone bungalow on the main beach in Ko Samui, Thailand, for US$30 per night. It had all the amenities, and plenty of nearby places were a bit more basic for far less money. All of Southeast Asia has deals like this or even better, since Thailand is actually the most expensive country in the region.

When I went to Goa, India, I found a really nice hotel about 100 meters from the beach in Vagator for US$11 per night. It had a TV, frig, and a powerful ceiling fan. A guy I met on the train there didn’t want to spend that much, so he got a room in a boarding house directly across the street from my hotel, and he paid just under US$2 per night.

My next stop in Goa was Calungute Beach, and I found a nice hotel two blocks from the beach for US$9 per night. It turns out I was there off season for foreign tourists, so it was me and thousands of middle class Indian families, who were there to splash around on the beach. It was an enriching cultural experience, and I was hanging out in a cheap resort area at the same time.

1 comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *